Tower Erection Lift Kit Tools

ABSTRACT

A mounting tool for use in safely lifting a heavy object such as a wind tower segment. Mounting tools may be provided in a kit that includes a tool that is especially adapted for attachment to the top of the object, and a tool that is especially adapted for attachment to the bottom of the object. Both the top and bottom mounting tools include a mounting bracket for removably mounting the tool to a mounting ring on a heavy object. To accommodate different bolt patterns in mating holes in the objects, the mounting bracket has a slotted mounting hole and two generally annular mounting holes extending therethrough. These mounting holes are arrayed along a common axis. A hoist ring assembly is mounted to the mounting bracket and includes a bail adapted for swiveling and pivoting movement to define a generally hemispheric envelope. The bail is mounted for swiveling about a swiveling axis. The swiveling axis extends approximately between the two generally annular mounting holes and the slotted mounting hole. At least two fastener elements are adapted to project fasteningly through the mounting holes. The fastener elements may be straight or stepped as may be necessary to accommodate various mating hole sizes in the heavy objects.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application No.61/234,246, filed Aug. 14, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to kits of tools and tools for use inerecting heavy objects, and, more particularly, embodiments of thepresent invention relate to kits of tools and tools for attaching towersegments to lifting devices.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Weld mounted free swiveling and pivoting hoist rings had been previouslyproposed. See, for example, Alba U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,212, which ishereby incorporated herein in its entirety as though fully set forthhereat.

Wind turbine towers, for example, are typically erected by boltingtogether a vertical array of frusto-conical tower segments. Each towersegment is typically elongated and has a generally circular mountingring at each end. These mounting rings include mounting holes arrayed ina circular pattern to accommodate fastening bolts or screws. Duringerection, the mounting rings on the adjacent ends of mating towersegments are fastened together by means of bolts or studs extendedthrough mating holes in adjacent tower segments. The mating rings arethus bolted together. The mounting rings in different tower segments,and different towers frequently have different hole sizes and holespacing. Each tower segment is typically manufactured at a fabricatingfacility, transported to the site of erection, and then hoisted upright,and bolted to adjacent tower segments in a frusto-conical shapedvertical array. Tower segments are typically as much as 10 to 20 feet indiameter, 30 to 50 feet long, and weigh as much as from 80 to 100 tons.Hoisting a tower segment into an installed position requires that bothends of the tower segment be lifted off a transport vehicle or supportstructure, and then the upper end be hoisted until the tower segment isapproximately vertical. The vertically supported tower segment must beaccurately positioned and then bolted into place. Large capacity cranesare typically employed to hoist and position the tower segments. Suchcranes are attached to the tower segments by way of cables, chains,webs, or the like lifting lines.

Tools that are used for attaching lifting lines to tower segments aretypically attached to the mounting rings. Such tools must be safe,reliable, easy to use, and adjustable to accommodate various bolt holesizes and spacings in different mounting rings. Such tools must alsomake provisions for adapting to the differences in the requirements forsuch tools depending on whether they are to be attached to the tops orthe bottoms of the tower segments. Such tools should safely and easilyaccommodate all of the mounting hole sizes and spacings that may befound from one tower segment to another and from one tower to another.

Previously proposed expedients for tools that are used for attachinglifting lines to mounting rings include, for example, Storgaar, U.S.Publication No. 2009/0107062, published Apr. 30, 2009, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety as though fully setforth hereat. The prior art devices and methods are not without theirshortcomings. A major shortcoming of certain prior art devices andmethods is the difficulty in adjusting the prior art tools to safelyaccommodate different hole sizes and spacings in the structures to whichthe tools are mounted. Complicated adjusting expedients tended tocompromise the reliability and safety of the tools. Further, if mountedincorrectly certain prior art tools could bend or break during a liftingoperation. The need for tools that are safe, reliable, rugged, simple touse, and to manufacture had been recognized by those concerned withthese matters.

Lifting tools find utility wherever there are heavy objects to belifted. Frequently, the opposed ends of a heavy object need to be liftedindependent of one another to change the orientation of the objectbetween vertical and horizontal. Embodiments of the present lifting toolkits find particular application where both ends of an object need to behoisted to change the object's orientation. For example, some largeheavy objects such as storage tanks, towers, reactors, structuralmembers, and the like are made or shipped in one orientation and must behoisted by both ends and the ends moved independently of one anotherinto another orientation, such as from a horizontal transportationorientation to a vertical installation orientation, or from a verticalmanufacturing orientation to a horizontal storage or transportationorientation.

Hoist rings of various designs that are intended to be attached to heavyloads are well known. See, for example, Alba U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,212,Alba U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,422, Tsui U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,991, Alba U.S.Pat. No. 6,199,925, Tsui et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,954, and Tsui et al.U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,164, each of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference as though fully set forth hereat. The structures of thesehoist rings are such that the bails to which lifting lines connect arecapable of swiveling and pivoting omni-directionally within at leastapproximately a hemisphere so as to align the bail with the load that isapplied to it. This hemispheric envelope is generally symmetrical aroundthe swiveling axis of the hoist ring. The advantage of a hoist ring thatexhibits such hemispheric omni-directionality is that the hoist ring hasthe same load bearing capacity regardless of the direction of the loadwithin the hemispheric envelope. By contrast, eyebolts have a maximumcapacity only when loads are applied along the major axis. The loadcapacity of an eyebolt falls off quickly as the direction of the appliedload changes from axial to an angle to the major axis of the eyebolt.

Hoist rings are classified as critical lifting devices, and are subjectto rigorous safety standards. Quality controls on manufacturingoperations, testing, and safety margins for strength are very stringent.They must be safe to use by workers at construction sites with a minimumof specialized instruction. Hoist rings should be rugged and simple sothat it is difficult to damage them or use them improperly.

These and other difficulties of the prior art have been overcomeaccording to the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the currentstate of the art, and in particular, in response to these and otherproblems and needs that have not been fully or completely solved bycurrently available tools. Thus, it is an overall object of the presentinvention to effectively resolve at least the problems and shortcomingsidentified herein. Embodiments of the present invention are particularlysuitable for use in erecting wind turbine towers, which may be as muchas 100 to 400 or more feet tall.

To acquaint persons skilled in the pertinent arts most closely relatedto the present invention, embodiments of tools and kits of tools thatillustrates a best mode now contemplated for putting the invention intopractice is described herein by, and with reference to, the annexeddrawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplaryembodiments are described in detail without attempting to show all ofthe various forms and modifications in which the invention might beembodied. As such, the embodiments shown and described herein areillustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in the art,can be modified in numerous ways within the scope and spirit of theinvention, the invention being measured by the appended claims and notby the details of the specification or drawings.

According to certain embodiments, a kit of tools adapted to be used inthe erection of towers and other heavy objects comprises mounting toolsincluding a top tool having a longitudinal axis. The top tool includes atop mounting bracket and a top bail mounted to the top mounting bracketfor pivoting movement through at least approximately 180 degreesgenerally around a top pivoting axis that is approximately normal to thelongitudinal axis, and swiveling movement through a full circlegenerally around a top swiveling axis that is approximately normal tothe pivoting axis. The movement of an outermost point on the top bailapproximately defines a top hemispherical envelope. The outermost pointon the top bail is generally omni-positionable within this envelope. Thetop mounting bracket includes top mounting holes extending therethroughand arrayed generally along the longitudinal axis. The top mountingholes including a slotted top mounting hole that is elongated generallyalong the longitudinal axis, and at least two generally annular topmounting holes likewise generally arrayed along the longitudinal axis.The slotted top mounting hole and the annular top mounting holes aregenerally disposed on opposite sides of the top swiveling axis. A bottomtool has a major axis and a minor axis extending approximately normal toone another. The bottom tool includes a bottom mounting bracket and abottom bail mounted to the bottom mounting bracket for pivoting andswiveling movement around bottom pivoting and swiveling axes asdescribed with reference to the top bail to approximately define abottom hemispheric envelope. The top swiveling axis is generally adaptedto extend approximately normal to the plane of a mounting ring to whichit is mounted, and the bottom swiveling axis is adapted to extendapproximately parallel to the plane of a mounting ring to which it ismounted.

According to certain embodiments a mounting tool for use in lifting aheavy object comprises a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket has aslotted mounting hole and two generally annular mounting holes extendingtherethrough. The mounting holes are arrayed along a common axis. Ahoist ring assembly is mounted to the mounting bracket, and includes abail adapted for swiveling and pivoting movement to define a generallyhemispheric envelope. The bail is mounted for swiveling about aswiveling axis. The swiveling axis extends approximately between the twogenerally annular mounting holes on one side, and the slotted mountinghole on the other side. At least two fastener elements are adapted toproject fasteningly through the mounting holes. In certain embodiments,at least one of the fastening elements is a stepped fastening element.When the heavy object has an object axis, the swiveling axis is adaptedto extend either generally normally or generally parallel to the objectaxis. In embodiments where the swiveling axis is adapted to extendgenerally parallel to the object axis, the hoist ring assembly isadapted to being positioned generally laterally outwardly of the heavyobject. According to certain embodiments, the two generally annularmounting holes are located toward one end of the mounting tool, and theslotted mounting hole is located toward an opposed end of the mountingtool. According to further embodiments, the swiveling axis extendsgenerally normal to the common axis.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present inventionwill become more fully apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as setforth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention provides its benefits across a broad spectrum oftower erection assemblies and the handling of other heavy objects. Whilethe description which follows hereinafter is meant to be representativeof a number of such applications, it is not exhaustive. As those skilledin the art will recognize, the basic apparatus and method taught hereincan be readily adapted to many uses. This specification and the claimsappended hereto should be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scopeand spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear tobe limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to thespecific examples disclosed.

As used herein, terms such as “having,” “containing,” “including,”“comprising,” and the like, are open ended terms that indicate thepresence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additionalelements or features. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” include theplural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise.

Referring particularly to the drawings for the purposes of illustratingthe invention and its presently understood best mode only and notlimitation:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a conventional crane with atower segment suspended in the vertical position from lifting lines withfour top tools distributed equidistant from one another around the topof the tower segment.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a tower segment as it isbeing lifted by both ends from a generally horizontal position towards avertical position, and with associated mounting tools comprising fourtop tools attached to the top end of the tower segment, and two bottomtools attached to a bottom end of the tower segment.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a tower segment that hasbeen lifted to a nearly vertical position with four top tools attachedto the top end and two bottom tools attached to the bottom end.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of a bottomtool that is adapted to be attached to a bottom mounting ring of a towersegment with a bottom swiveling axis extending generally parallel to theplane defined by the revolution of the diameter of bottom mounting ring.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic back view of an embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic front view of an embodiment of a top toolincluding a representation of an arc described by a point on a top bailpivoting about a top pivoting axis.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic front view of an embodiment of FIG. 6 in whichthe top bail has swiveled approximately 90 degrees from the positiondepicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic top view of an embodiment of a top toolincluding a representation of an arc described by a point on a top bailswiveling about a top swiveling axis.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic top view of an embodiment of a bottom toolmounted to a bottom mounting ring of a tower segment.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the bottom side of anembodiment of the bottom tool depicted in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of the bottom tooldepicted in FIG. 9 showing the bottom mounting ring in cross-section.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic top view of an embodiment of a top toolmounted to a top mounting ring of a tower segment.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of the top tooldepicted in FIG. 12 showing the top mounting ring in cross-section.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the top side of anembodiment of the top tool depicted in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic top view of an embodiment of the bottom tooldepicted in FIG. 16.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a bottom toolwithout the bottom bail and the body in which the bottom bail is mountedfor pivoting and swiveling.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic front view of an embodiment of the bottom tooldepicted in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic perspective cross-sectional view of a bushingabout which top and bottom bails swivel.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic front cross-sectional view of a bushing aboutwhich top and bottom bails swivel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. It is tobe understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematicrepresentations of various embodiments of the invention, and are not tobe construed as limiting the invention in any way. The use of words andphrases herein with reference to specific embodiments is not intended tolimit the meanings of such words and phrases to those specificembodiments. Words and phrases herein are intended to have theirordinary meanings, unless a specific definition is set forth at lengthherein.

Referring particularly to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings,there is illustrated generally in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 3,a conventional lifting crane 10 that is liftingly attached throughmounting tools to a heavy object such as, for example, tower segment 12.The mounting tools include four top tools, 20, 22, 24 and 26, releasablyattached to top mounting ring 18, and two bottom tools releasablyattached to bottom mounting ring 38. Top mounting ring 18 is attached tothe normally upper end 16 of tower segment 12. Main lifting line 36extends from lifting crane 10 to upper lifting lines 28, 30, 32, and 34.A bottom mounting ring 38 is located at the normally lower end 14 oftower segment 12, and is liftingly attached through bottom tools 40 and42 and lower lifting lines 44 and 46 to a similar crane (not shown).

Top mounting ring 18, and bottom mounting ring 38 are generally annularand lie within top and bottom mounting ring planes, respectively. Theseplanes extend generally normal to the object axis 21 of a heavy objectsuch as tower segment 12. These respective rings generally form theopposed ends of tower segment 12. These rings generally serve asmounting members for the opposed ends of tower segment 12. These ringsare generally adapted to being fastened to adjacent structures duringthe erection and use of a tower. For example, tower segments typicallytaper so that the bottom mounting ring of a tower segment is bigger thanthe top mounting ring on the same segment. When two tapered towersegments are assembled together, the bottom mounting ring of theuppermost tower segment is typically the same size as the top mountingring of the tower segment immediately below it. For mounting purposesthese respective rings generally include mounting ring holes that areconfigured to receive fastener elements therethrough. Such mountingholes typically extend generally normal to the respective top and bottommounting planes, and parallel to the object axis 21 of the towersegment. Such fastener elements generally serve to secure top tools 20,22, 24, and 26, and bottom tools 40 and 42 to the top and bottommounting rings 18 and 38, respectively.

Tower segment 12 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is shown in agenerally vertical position. The removable bottom tools have beenremoved to allow the bottom mounting ring to be fastened to a matingstructure such as, for example, a foundation or a mounting ring onanother tower segment. When the tower segment has been securely attachedto the structure below it, the removable top tools will be removed toallow the installation of some further structure on the top mountingring, for example, a turbine mount or another tower segment. The top andbottom tools are then available for use in lifting other heavy objectsthat may have mounting rings with the same or different hole sizes orspacings. Tower segment 12 is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2 withboth ends hoisted and the object axis 21 of tower segment 12 in agenerally horizontal position. In the embodiment of FIG. 3 the towersegment 12 is shown with both ends being lifted, and in a position thatis intermediate the horizontal and vertical positions.

As shown particularly in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, bottom tools40 and 42 are liftingly attached to mounting ring 38 and to lowerlifting lines 44 and 46, respectively. During the erection phase ofinstalling a tower segment or other heavy object, the initial functionof the top and bottom tools is to allow the object to be lifted in thehorizontal position shown in FIG. 2 until the object is clear ofobstructions on the ground. As the heavy object is moved from theapproximately horizontal position shown in FIG. 2 through that shown inFIG. 3 and into the generally vertical position shown in FIG. 1, thebottom tools 40 and 42 serve to stabilize and guide the normally lowerend of tower segment 12 while carrying some of the load.

Only two bottom tools, 40 and 42, are required for the functions theyperform. These bottom tools must be configured such that lifting lines44 and 46 remain generally clear of the tower segment 12 as it is liftedand rotated from a generally horizontal to a generally verticalposition. These lifting lines 44 and 46 extend along side of the towersegment. As the erection phase proceeds the lifting lines move frombeing approximately normal to the tower segment until they are alignedalmost parallel to and beside the tower segment. To this end the bottomtools are generally spaced apart by less than 180 degrees, for example,160, or 130 or even 100 degrees or less. The bottom tools are generallyremovably attached on the lowermost part of the bottom mounting ring.When the heavy object to which the bottom tools are mounted is in thevertical position, and near its installation position, the bottom toolsmay be removed to allow the completion of the installation of the heavyobject. The bottom tools are then available for reuse in connection withthe installation of some other heavy object.

The top tools are generally removably attached on the uppermost part ofthe top mounting ring. Four top tools spaced apart by equal angles aregenerally required to safely lift a heavy object such as tower segment12, although more than or less than four tools may be used if a specificload requires it. For certain embodiments, four equally spaced top toolsare generally required to accurately align and steady the heavy objectas it is carefully moved into its intended installation location. Oncethe heavy object is properly positioned and secured in place, the toptools are removed, whereupon they become available for use in installinganother heavy object.

Bottom tools 40 and 42 are specially configured so that their bottombails 56 (FIGS. 4, 5, 9-11) swivel and pivot at locations such thatlifting lines 44 and 46 remain clear of tower segment 12 and bottommounting ring 38. The hemispheric envelope that results from suchswiveling and pivoting projects laterally outwardly of bottom mountingring 38 generally normal to object axis 21. By contrast, top tools 20,22, 24, and 26 are configured so that their top bails 118 swivel andpivot to generate hemispheric envelopes that project axially upwardly oftop mounting ring 22 generally parallel to object axis 21.

With particular reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 9-11, and 15-19, a bottom tool48 includes a major axis 92, a minor axis 94 extending generally normalto major axis 92, a bottom swiveling axis 96 extending generally normalto both major axis 92 and minor axis 94, a bottom pivoting axis 98, afirst fastener axis 100, a second fastener axis 102, and a thirdfastener axis 104. These respective fastener axes extend generallynormal to and are arrayed along and approximately intersect with majoraxis 92, and extend generally parallel to minor axis 94.

With particular reference to FIGS. 9-8, and 12-14, a top tool, of which20 is a typical embodiment, includes longitudinal axis 142, a toppivoting axis 146, a top swiveling axis 144 extending generally normalto longitudinal axis 142, a top swivel circle 164, a first mounting holeaxis 148, a second mounting hole axis 150, and slotted mounting holeaxes 152 and 154. These respective mounting hole axes extend generallynormal to and are arrayed along longitudinal axis 142, and extendgenerally parallel to top swiveling axis 144. The respective pivotingaxes define pivoting planes as swiveling about the respective swivelingaxes takes place.

A bottom mounting bracket of the embodiment chosen for purposes ofillustration is comprised of two mounting components and a bracingstructure. In the embodiment chosen for illustration, a bottom ringmounting plate 50 is adapted to mate with and be secured to a generallyflat lower surface of a bottom mounting ring 38. See particularly FIGS.9 and 11. A hoist ring assembly is mounted to hoist ring mounting plate52. Hoist ring mounting plate 52 is attached to bottom ring mountingplate 50 and braced there by brace plates 54. The bottom mountingbracket is generally “L” shaped with one leg formed by hoist ringmounting plate 52, and the other by bottom ring mounting plate 50. Hoistring mounting plate 52 is offset relative to major axis 92 so that thehoist ring assembly is positioned laterally outwardly of bottom mountingring 38, as shown particularly in FIGS. 9 and 11. This is verysignificant to safety, because it places the hemispheric envelope thatis defined by the movement of the bail out away from the heavy objectthat it is mounted to. Thus, the bail's movement is not obstructed inany part of the hemispheric envelope. If the bail is prevented frompivoting and swiveling freely to align itself with the direction of theload, there is a serious possibility that the hoist ring assembly may bebroken. If the hoist ring assembly fails the attached heavy object willdrop and/or sway. An attached crane may be toppled, the object may bedamaged, and people and other objects in the vicinity may be crushed.

First and second fastener axes 100 and 102 form the major axes of bottommounting holes 84 and 86, respectively. Bottom mounting holes 84 and 86are located in bottom ring mounting plate 50 on one side of bottomswivel axis 96, and slotted bottom mounting hole 88 is located in bottomring mounting plate 50 on the opposite side of bottom swivel axis 96from bottom mounting holes 84 and 86.

The spacing between the three bottom (and top) mounting holes, and thelength of the slot in slotted bottom mounting hole 88, and slotted topmounting hole 162 (FIGS. 8 and 14), are selected so that the bottom andtop mounting brackets will fit all of the anticipated hole spacings thatare expected to be encountered in the mating mounting members to whichthey will be mounted. The lengths of the slotted mounting holes aregenerally equal to between approximately 2 and 4 diameters of the othermounting holes in the respective mounting brackets. The two generallyannular mounting holes in both the top and bottom tools are generallyspaced apart by a distance of from approximately 2 to 4 diameters. Thespacing and slot length of the three mounting holes in the top andbottom tools are spaced and sized to accommodate all of the anticipatedhole spacings that are expected to be so encountered.

For the sake of safety, one of the fastener elements is mounted in sucha way as to preclude lateral sliding movement of the top or bottommounting bracket relative to the structure to which it is mounted. Thisis accomplished in such a way as to leave the top and bottom tools withthe capacity to fit different hole patterns (spacing) without thecomplexity and risk of added adjusting components. Costs of productionand maintenance increase as complexity increases. Increasing themechanical complexity of a lifting device generally increases the levelof skill that is required to use it. Increasing the mechanicalcomplexity also increases the risk that errors will be made in the useof the device. Safety is more likely to be compromised. A component thatis not present can not fail or be misused.

In certain embodiments the capacity to fit different hole patternssafely without risk of slippage between the tool and the object isaccomplished by providing a generally annular mounting hole and agenerally cylindrical fastener element projected through this hole sothere is very little clearance (approximately 0.010 or 0.005 inches moreor less) between the internal wall of the mounting hole and the externalwall of the fastener element. There is always one fastener element insuch a generally annular mounting hole in addition to the fastenerelement that is in the slotted mounting hole. The use, for example, oftwo slotted mounting holes in the same tool to accommodate the necessaryadjustment would possibly permit the mounting bracket to slip laterallygenerally along its major axis relative to the structure to which it ismounted. Such risk of slippage at some unpredictable time and in someunpredictable amount during the handling of a heavy object would beunacceptable in a critical safety device. Sudden slippage might causeshock loading on the entire lifting system with possible catastrophicfailure as a result. The configuration of the mounting holes isgenerally similar in both the top and bottom tools with the commonpurpose of avoiding the possibility of such slippage.

It has been found that three mounting holes are generally sufficient toaccommodate the mating structures. More generally annular mounting holescan be provided if desired but are not necessary for most embodiments.Lengthening the slot in the slotted mounting hole and/or changing thespacing between two generally annular mounting holes provides all of theadjustment necessary for most embodiments.

The sizes of the three mounting holes in the top and bottom tools shouldbe minimized to not exceed the sizes that are required to safely supportthe maximum design loads. Larger holes unnecessarily weaken the tools.The holes in the structure to which the mounting bracket is mounted arefrequently larger or smaller than the mating mounting holes in the topor bottom tools. Such size differences are accommodated withoutrequiring a large inventory of tools with different hole sizes, andwithout compromising safety by, for example, increasing the mountinghole sizes in the tools and using bushings of various sizes to decreasethe mounting hole sizes to match those in the mating structures. Suchhole size differences are accommodated by providing stepped fastenerelements in which part of the shank of the fastener element is sized tofit the holes in this structure and another part of the shank is sizedto fit the top or bottom mounting holes in the mounting tools.

In certain embodiments the fastener elements take the form of studs thatare threaded on both ends. If the holes in both the tools and the objectto which the tolls are mounted the studs are about the same diameter fortheir entire axial lengths. See, for example, studs 65 in FIG. 4. If,for example, the mounting tools are moved to another structure where theholes in the structure to which the mounting tools are mounted arelarger than the mating holes in the mounting tools themselves, theaxially extending parts of these studs that engage the structure aremade larger than the axially extending parts of these studs that engagethe tools. See, for example, studs 66 in FIG. 5. The diameter of stud 66is stepped down at 72 to a smaller diameter. The reduced diameter part68 of stud 66 will pass through a mounting hole a mounting bracket suchas 48. The larger diameter portion will fit a larger diameter hole in amating structure. Threaded proximal and distal ends 70 and 74,respectively, of stud 66 permit threaded nuts of an appropriate size tobe tightened down, thus securing a mounting tool such as, for example,bottom tool 48 or top tool 110 to a heavy object that is to be lifted.Threaded studs, such as studs 65 and 66 are secured in place, forexample, by means of threaded nuts 75, 76, and 80. Washers 77, 78 and 82are provided as is conventional in assemblies that are held together bythreaded studs and nuts.

In certain embodiments the fastener elements take the form of headedbolts or machine screws. See, for example, headed bolts 138 in FIG. 7,wherein one end of a headed bolt is threaded to receive a threaded nutand associated washer. See, nuts 132 and associated washers 134. Theheads 130 of headed bolts 138 are spaced from the upper surface of topmounting bracket 112 by washers 136.

The hoist ring assembly in bottom tool 48 comprises a bail 56 that ispivotally mounted to body 58 through pivot pins 64 for pivotal movementabout bottom pivoting axis 98 through at least approximately 180degrees. Body 58 is journaled for swiveling movement through 360 degreeson the external generally cylindrical surface of bushing 60 about bottomswiveling axis 96. A typical bushing is shown in cross-section in FIGS.18 and 19, which are reference numbered to correspond to the embodimentsof the top tools that are illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 and 12-14. Thebushing is illustrated at reference number 114 in the embodiments ofFIGS. 12-14. Throughout certain embodiments the elements of the hoistring assembly are of the same general design, but the elements are notnecessarily the same size or proportion in all embodiments. For example,slightly different sized bushings may be used in the top and bottomtools. Nut 62 is threadably attached to a body stud 61 (FIGS. 9 and 10)that is generally concentric with bottom swiveling axis 96. Body stud 61is attached directly or indirectly to hoist ring mounting plate 52 sothat tightening nut 62 causes thrust washer 63 (FIG. 10) to bear againstthe distal end of bushing 60, but without binding body 58 so it remainsfree to swivel about bottom swiveling axis 96. Thrust washer 63 retainsbody 58 on bushing 60, but does not bind it from freely swiveling. Theproximal end of bushing 60 is secured to a mounting bracket such as atop mounting bracket or a bottom mounting bracket. According to certainembodiments the proximal end of bushing 60 is secured by way of weldingto an associated mounting bracket.

Body stud 61, for example, may be threadably or weldably attached tobushing 60, or it may be threadably or weldably attached to anassociated mounting bracket. According to certain embodiments (notillustrated), body stud 61 is replaced with a headed bolt that isthreadably mounted to either a bushing or an associated mountingbracket. The load capacity of the hoist ring assembly is determined insignificant part by the amount of torque that is applied to the bodystud or headed bolt. Such a body stud or headed bolt is generallytorqued to the proper level of tension by the manufacturer or a repairstation. For large load capacity (approximately 50 tons or more) hoistring assemblies, special tools are required to apply the torque. Thereis no need for a user of these mounting tools to be concerned withproperly torquing such a body stud or headed bolt. Installation,removal, and reinstallation of embodiments of the mounting tools are allaccomplished in the field without disturbing the torque settings on suchbody studs or headed bolts. Thus, there is no risk that the load bearingcapacity of the mounting tool will be altered by normal usage in thefield.

Top tool 110 includes a hoist ring assembly that is similar to thatfound in bottom tool 48. This hoist ring assembly includes a body 116,pivot pins 124 and 126, a bushing 114, a thrust washer 122, a headedbody bolt 120, and a bail 118. These elements function together aspreviously described with reference to the hoist ring assembly in toptool 48. The slight gap between thrust washer 122 and body 116 is shownat 128. This gap allows body 116 to rotate freely about the bushing.Socket 160 in the head of headed body bolt 120 allows a wrench to beapplied to tighten or loosen this bolt.

With particular reference to FIGS. 15-19, the inner elements of anembodiment of a hoist ring assembly are illustrated. An embodiment of atop tool has been chosen for purposes of illustration, but this willserve to illustrate the inner elements of embodiments of both top andbottom mounting tools. A flange 178 of a bushing is welded to a mountingbracket. The lower surface 180 of this bushing rests firmly on themounting bracket. A generally cylindrical surface 174 of the bushing isadapted to journalingly support a body such as, for example, 116. Theend 176 of the bushing is adapted to engage with a thrust washer suchas, for example, 63 or 122. The generally cylindrical column of thebushing bears the tensioning load that is applied to body stud 190 bythreadably tensioning body stud 190. Body stud 190 is mounted in bore186 by means of threaded engagement with bushing thread 184. Forpurposes of illustration bushing thread 184 is shown as extending onlypart way along bore 186. In many embodiments, bushing thread 184 extendsfor the entire length of bore 186. Annular recess 182 in flange 178serves to engage a skirt of a body such as, for example, 116.

Radially outermost points 90 on bails 56 and 118 generate generallyhemispheric shaped envelopes as they move with the pivoting andswiveling of the hoist ring assemblies with which they are associated. Aload is attached to the bail, and the bail moves omni-directionallywithin a generally hemisphericaly shaped envelope to align the bail withthe direction from which the load is applied. A vector that pointsdirectly from the pivoting axis of a hoist ring assembly to the loadgenerally passes approximately through point 90. The movement of point90 is illustrated by pivoting arc 140 in FIG. 6 and swivel circle 164 inFIG. 8. Body rotational arc 141 in FIG. 7 illustrates how the bodyrotates around the bushing in a bushing assembly to permit the swivelingmovement of point 90 in either direction.

According to certain embodiments the fastening of a bottom mountingbracket to a bottom mounting ring or other mounting member on a heavyobject is accomplished by the use of two fastener elements, a first ofwhich is projected fasteningly through one of bottom mounting holes 84or 86 and into a first mating hole in a mating mounting member, and thesecond of which is projected fasteningly through slotted bottom mountinghole 88 and slipped laterally along this slotted mounting hole until italigns with a second mating hole in the mating mounting member. If amating hole can not be found for the second fastener element, the bottommounting bracket is repositioned relative to the mating mounting memberby moving the first fastener element from one of the bottom mountingholes 84 or 86 to the other.

Mounting tools such as, for example, 48 and 110 are comprised ofmounting brackets, hoist ring assemblies, and fastener elements.Mounting tools are mounted to heavy objects through mounting structuressuch as, for example, top and bottom mounting rings 38 and 18. Accordingto certain embodiments, fastener elements such as, for example, 65, 66,and 138 are projected through mating mounting holes such as, forexample, 170, 84, 88, 188, 151, and 162 (FIGS. 8, 9 and 12) in themounting brackets and mounting structures, and are releasably securedthere to retain the mounting tools in the desired locations on the heavyobjects. For purposes of adjustability, the mounting holes in a mountingbracket are aligned along a common axis such as, for example, 92 and142. As shown particularly in FIGS. 6-9 and 12, even though the matingholes in a mating structure are arrayed along an arc, the use of twofastener elements with two generally annular mounting holes and oneslotted hole provides a substantial amount of adjustability toaccommodate different bolt patterns in the mounting structure. Thedistance 156 between axes 152 and 154, for example, defines the limitsof travel that a bolt or stud can move laterally in a slotted mountinghole. A bolt or stud can be moved from one generally annular mountinghole to another as shown, for example, at axes 148 and 150. When thedistance between axes 148 and 150 is added to distance 156 it is seenthat an unexpectedly large amount of adjustability is provided by thisarrangement. Further adjustability is provided by the use of steppedfastener elements to accommodate different mating hole sizes between themounting brackets and the mounting structures. This flexibility isachieved without compromising safety by introducing added elements oroperational complexities.

What has been described are preferred embodiments in which modificationsand changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe accompanying claims. Many modifications and variations of thepresent invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It istherefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed.

1. A kit of tools adapted to be used in the erection of a tower segmentthat include top and bottom mounting rings, said kit comprising: a toptool having a longitudinal axis, said top tool including a top mountingbracket and a top bail mounted to said top mounting bracket for pivotingmovement through at least approximately 180 degrees generally around atop pivoting axis and swiveling movement through a full top swivelcircle generally around a top swiveling axis that is approximatelynormal to said longitudinal axis, said top mounting bracket includingtop mounting holes extending therethrough generally normal to saidlongitudinal axis, said top mounting holes being arrayed generally alongsaid longitudinal axis, said top mounting holes including a slotted topmounting hole that is elongated generally along said longitudinal axis;a bottom tool having a major axis and a minor axis extendingapproximately normal to one another, said bottom tool including a bottommounting bracket and a bottom bail mounted to said bottom mountingbracket for pivoting movement through at least approximately 180 degreesgenerally around a bottom pivoting axis and swiveling movement through afull bottom swivel circle generally around a bottom swiveling axis, saidtop swiveling axis being adapted to extend generally normal to saidbottom swiveling axis when said top mounting bracket and said bottommounting bracket are mounted to said top and bottom mounting rings,respectively.
 2. A kit of tools of claim 1 wherein said top mountingholes include at least two generally annular top mounting holes arrayedgenerally along said longitudinal axis.
 3. A kit of tools of claim 1wherein said bottom mounting bracket includes at least two generallyannular bottom mounting holes and a bottom slotted mounting hole arrayedgenerally along and generally normal to said major axis.
 4. A kit oftools of claim 1 including at least two mounting studs, each of saidmounting studs having a tool end, a mounting ring end, a stud axis, andbeing generally cylindrical around said stud axis, at least one of saidmounting studs having a tool portion with a first diameter adjacent saidtool end, and a mounting ring portion with a second diameter adjacentsaid mounting ring end, said first diameter being different from saidsecond diameter, each of said portions being threaded adjacent saidrespective ends, said tool portion being adapted to extend through atleast one of said top or bottom mounting holes, and said mounting ringportion being adapted to extend through a mounting ring hole in at leastone of said top or bottom mounting rings.
 5. A kit of tools of claim 4wherein said second diameter is larger than said first diameter.
 6. Atop tool adapted to be used in the hoisting of a heavy object thatincludes a top mounting ring, said top tool comprising: a top mountingbracket and a top bail mounted to said top mounting bracket for pivotingmovement through at least approximately 180 degrees generally around atop pivoting axis and swiveling movement through a full top swivelingcircle generally around a top swiveling axis to define a topapproximately hemispherical shell, said top tool having a longitudinalaxis, said top swiveling axis extending approximately normal to saidlongitudinal axis, said top mounting bracket including top mountingholes extending therethrough and arrayed generally along saidlongitudinal axis, said top mounting holes including a slotted topmounting hole that is elongated generally along said longitudinal axis,and at least a generally annular top mounting hole; wherein said toptool is adapted to being mounted to said top mounting ring by topfasteners located in said top mounting holes, and with said topswiveling axis extending generally normal to said longitudinal axis. 7.A top tool of claim 6 wherein said top mounting holes include at leasttwo generally annular top mounting holes arrayed generally along saidlongitudinal axis.
 8. A top tool of claim 6 wherein said top mountingholes include at least two generally annular top mounting holes arrayedgenerally along said longitudinal axis, said top tool including at leasttwo top mounting studs, each of said top mounting studs having a toolend, a mounting ring end, a stud axis, and being generally cylindricalaround said stud axis, at least one of said top mounting studs having atool portion with a first diameter adjacent said tool end, and amounting ring portion with a second diameter adjacent said mounting ringend, said first diameter being different from said second diameter, eachof said portions being threaded adjacent said respective ends, said toolportion being adapted to extend through said top mounting holes, andsaid mounting ring portion being adapted to extend through a mountingring hole in said top mounting ring.
 9. A top tool adapted to be used inthe hoisting of a heavy object that includes a top mounting ring, saidtop tool comprising: a top mounting bracket and a top bail mounted tosaid top mounting bracket for pivoting movement through at leastapproximately 180 degrees generally around a top pivoting axis andswiveling movement through a full top swiveling circle generally arounda top swiveling axis to define a top approximately hemispherical shell,said top tool having a longitudinal axis, said top swiveling axisextending approximately normal to said longitudinal axis, said topmounting bracket including top mounting holes extending therethrough andarrayed generally along said longitudinal axis, said top mounting holesincluding a slotted top mounting hole that is elongated generally alongsaid longitudinal axis, and at least two generally annular top mountingholes, said top tool including at least two top mounting studs, each ofsaid top mounting studs having a tool end, a mounting ring end, a studaxis, and being generally cylindrical around said stud axis, at leastone of said top mounting studs having a tool portion with a firstdiameter adjacent said tool end, and a mounting ring portion with asecond diameter adjacent said mounting ring end, said first diameterbeing different from said second diameter, each of said portions beingthreaded adjacent said respective ends, said tool portion being adaptedto extend through said top mounting holes generally parallel to said topswiveling axis, said mounting ring portion being adapted to extendthrough a mounting ring hole in said top mounting ring; and wherein saidtop tool is adapted to being mounted to said top mounting ring by topfasteners located in said top mounting holes, and with said topswiveling axis extending generally normal to said longitudinal axis. 10.A bottom tool adapted to be used in the hoisting of a heavy object thatincludes a bottom mounting ring that is generally annular and lieswithin a bottom mounting ring plane, and an object axis that extendsgenerally normal to said bottom mounting ring plane, said bottom toolcomprising: a bottom mounting bracket and a bottom bail mounted to saidbottom mounting bracket for pivoting movement through at leastapproximately 180 degrees generally around a bottom pivoting axis, andswiveling movement through a full bottom swiveling circle generallyaround a bottom swiveling axis to define an bottom approximatelyhemispherical shell, said bottom tool having a major axis, said bottommounting bracket including bottom mounting holes extending therethroughand arrayed generally along said major axis, said bottom mounting holesincluding a slotted bottom mounting hole that is elongated generallyalong said major axis, and at least two generally annular bottommounting holes, said bottom swiveling axis being adapted to extendgenerally parallel to said bottom mounting ring plane when said bottomtool is mounted to said bottom mounting ring.
 11. A mounting tool foruse in lifting a heavy object comprising: a mounting bracket, saidmounting bracket having a slotted mounting hole and two generallyannular mounting holes extending therethrough, said mounting holes beingarrayed along a common axis; a hoist ring assembly mounted to saidmounting bracket and including a bail adapted for swiveling and pivotingmovement to define a generally hemispheric envelope, said bail beingmounted for swiveling about a swiveling axis, said swiveling axisextending approximately between said two generally annular mountingholes and said slotted mounting hole; and at least two fastener elementsadapted to project fasteningly through said mounting holes.
 12. Amounting tool of claim 11 wherein at least one of said fasteningelements is a stepped fastening element.
 13. A mounting tool of claim 11wherein said heavy object has an object axis, and said swiveling axis isadapted to extend generally parallel to said object axis.
 14. A mountingtool of claim 11 wherein said heavy object has an object axis, and saidswiveling axis is adapted to extend generally normal to said objectaxis, and said hoist ring assembly is adapted to being positionedgenerally laterally outwardly of said heavy object.
 15. A mounting toolof claim 11 wherein said two generally annular mounting holes arelocated toward one end of said mounting tool, and said slotted mountinghole is located toward an opposed end of said mounting tool.
 16. Amounting tool of claim 11 wherein said swiveling axis extends generallynormal to said common axis.